Nicholas VenOsdel, MD

I am a pediatrician practicing at Allina Health Hastings Clinic with professional interests in well care of infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, eczema, asthma and laceration repair

Hometown: Willmar, Minnesota

I am passionate about: advocating for the health, wellness and happiness of children. It is the best investment we can make for the future and I find it incredibly fulfilling. In doing this, I also enjoy helping parents discover their confidence and pride in parenthood.

If I wasn't a pediatrician, I would be a: homesteader because I like building and fixing things. I also grew up in the country and I love the idea of living off the land, working with my hands, tending a garden and raising animals.

I became a pediatrician because: I felt that being a physician was my calling. When I was in college, I saw health care as the best opportunity for me to build relationships, show compassion and have a lasting positive impact on others. 

One of the challenges of this career that I enjoy is: practicing effective communication. I have realized that even the smartest physicians in the world will be ineffective if they are not able to work as a team and connect with their patients on a personal level. Communication is crucial to excellent health care, because it can either help take down barriers or put them up.

My personal health goal is: to eat healthier, homegrown food and find a way to exercise that doesn't feel like work.

I am most proud of: seeing my children grow and develop the same quirks and personality traits that brought my wife and I together many years ago.